Refrigerating apparatus



P 1937- r R. s. GAUGLER 2,093,834

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet l R. S.GAUGLER REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Sept. 21, 1937.

Filed April 30, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 1937. R. s. GAUGLER 2,093,834

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 p 1937- IR. s. GAUGLER 2,093,834

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 p 937- HR.5. GAUGLER 2,093,834

REFRIGBRATING APPARATIYS Filed April 30, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 S p 937-R. s. GAUGLER 2,093,834

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 PatentedSept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE General Motors Corporation,Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Application April 30,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularlyto a personal type of air conditioning.

Heretofore air conditioning equipment has been '5 required to conditionthe air within the entire room or space occupied by persons desiring thecomfort of air conditioning. If air conditioning were confined to theimmediate vicinity of such persons, the equipment would be much lessexpensive both in initial cost and in operating expense. An applicationof this scheme which appears to have great possibilities is that of airconditioning beds since every one spends a continuous period of aboutone-third of each day in 15 bed.

Attempts have been made to provide air conditioning enclosures for beds,some of which provide a complete enclosure for the bed while anothermerely provides curtains around the sides of the bed into which the coolair is introduced and confined therein by gravity. The general public,

however,.is unaccustomed to such enclosures and would experience afeeling of confinement which would prevent their widespread use. Inaddition, the initial cost of such enclosures is considerable and theoperating expenses, while less than for a complete room, are stillsufiiciently high to prevent their use for those of limited means.

I, by my invention, propose to overcome these objections and to providea personal type of air conditioning means which in outward appearanceand in its use is little different from those replaced thereby and whichalso is sufilciently low in initial cost and operating expense to permitits purchase and use by persons of limited means.

My air conditioned enclosure employs a covering or enclosure for thebody very similar as to material as well as to use and appearance tothat now in ordinary use providing therein a means for diflusing thedischarge of conditioned air over and surrounding the body to provide anair conditioned environment for the body as well as providing insulatingair pockets, and to this enclosure I supply conditioned air or treatingmedium from a small inexpensive air conditioning or treating devicecapable of heating and cooling the air as required at a low operatingcost.

More specifically I provide a covering for the in a plurality of layerssewed or held together to form a plurality of enclosures into one ofwhich I supply the conditioned air or treating medium from which some ofthe air diiiuses through the sheeting into contact with the body toprovide an body formed of ordinary fabric cloth or sheeting,

1934, Serial No. 723,078

air conditioned environment for the body while some air diffuses throughthe sheeting into a secnd enclosure to form an inflated insulating airlayer.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the mid portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig,2;

Fig. 4 is a modified fragmentary section similar to that shown in Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 discloses a longitudinal sectional view of the bed shown in Fig.1 together with a diagrammatic illustration of the air conditioningapparatus and system therefor;

Fig. '7 discloses a sectional view of a bed together with an airconditioning system, shown diagrammatically, illustrating a modifiedform of my invention embodying recirculation of the air;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the air blanket shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air blanket shown in Fig.8 taken along the line 9-4 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the air blanket taken alongthe line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8;

Fig, 11 is a perspective view disclosing a multiple air conditioningsystem embodying my invention applicable to twin beds;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view through a bed embodying anotherform of my invention;

Fig. 13 discloses another application of my invention, particularlyintended for persons re quired to work in hot or coldplaces;

Fig. 14 discloses a heating apparatus for-the air conditioning suitsshown in Fig. 13 suitable for use in an airplane, and

'Fig. 15 discloses another application of my invention in the form of asleeping bag.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a simplified form of controlapparatus.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there isshown an ordinary wooden bed 20 provided with springs, a mattress and apillow in the usual manner together with the usual sheet covering themattress. However, instead of the ordinary blankets or other bedclothing, I provide what I term an air blanket generally designated byreference character 2|. This air blanket preferably is made up of aplurality of layers or sheet portions of muslin or percale sheeting orother suitable material as best shown in Fig, 2. The lower layer orsheet portion of this air blanket, designated by the reference character22, is preferably a sheet similar in size to an ordinary bed sheet andmay be formed out of similar material which is porous to a certaindegree. This sheet extends over the sides and lower end of the bed.

Upon the upper side of the sheet I sew or otherwise suitably fasten asecond sheet portion designated by the reference character 23 which mayalso be made of a similar porous material such as muslin or percalesheeting. This provides an air space between the sheet portion 23 andthe sheet 22. In order to prevent the excessive bulging of the sheetswhen air is supplied to this air space, I connect this sheet and sheetportion by ordinary fabric mesh, screening, or netting designated byreference character 24. This permits the free flow of air through thisenclosure and yet prevents excessive bulging of the sheet portion 23.

On top of the sheet portion 23 I provide a second sheet portion 26 whichis fastened to the first sheet portion 23 and the sheet 22 by beingsewed therethrough around its edge portions and also by being connectedat intermediate points by fabric webbing, netting or screeningdesignated by reference character 21 in a manner similar to the nettingor screening designated as 24. This provides a second air enclosure 28between the top sheet portion 26 and the intermediate sheet portion 23.This top sheet portion 26 may be made of the same material as the othersheet portions but if desired may be made of some impervious material. 7

At the foot of the bed or some other convenient place I place an airconditioning apparatus30 enclosed in a neat attractive cabinet which mayresemble an ordinary night table. This cabinet may either heat or coolthe air and supply the air under pressure through flexible tubing 3| tothe sheet 22 at a sufficient rate so that the air beneath the blanket isof substantially the same temperature as the air which is supplied bythe air conditioning apparatus. This will providean immediateenvironment of conditioned air surrounding the person sleeping in thebed. The, air is also filtered in its diffusion through the sheet 22.

Most of the air which thus difluses through the sheet 22 into the spacesbeneath the air blanket escapes around the head of the person sleepingin the bed and thus provides conditioned air around the head of theperson. If desired, the upper end of the air blanket may be-pulled overthe nose of the person so that the person will breathe the conditionedair. This is particularly beneficial to persons afiiicted with hayfeverand asthma. While most of the air which is supplied to the air space orenclosure 25 diffuses through the sheet 22 into contact with the personssleeping in the bed, some diffuses through the intermediate sheetportion 23 into the second enclosure or air space 28, thus forming aninsulating air space or insulating air pockets. If the top sheet portion26 is made of a porous material,

a slow diffused flow of air is thus provided intoand out of theinsulating air space 28 thereby carrying away and disposing of any heatleakage from the air in the room so that this insulating air space ismaintained at substantially the temperature of the conditioned airsupplied to the air blanket and in this way heat transfer is preventedbetween the air conditioned enclosure beneath the air blanket and theair in the room since the mattress of the bed provides excellentinsulation beneath the person and the air conditioned enclosuresurrounding the person sleeping. The air blanket may be provided withcross ducts 34 and 35 at the head and foot ends of the blanket as shownin Fig. 3 merely by stopping'the mesh or screening 24 and 21 shortof thehead and the foot ends of the intermediate and top sheet portions 23 and26. sheet and sheet portion by the mesh or screen portions 24 and 21provides the air blanket with a pleasing fluted appearance when it isinflated with conditioned air. During the daytime when the apparatus isnot in use the air blanket may be covered by a spread as is customary.This air blanket is washable and may be readily washed in the usualmanner similar to ordinary bed sheets.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6, for a disclosure of the airconditioning appparatus proper and its application to the air blanketthere is illustrateddiagrammatically the cabinet 30 having outer walls36 forming an enclosure The fastening together of the which is dividedinto two parts by a partition 31. Within one of the enclosures 38 formedthereby there is provided a refrigerant compressing apparatus includinga refrigerant compressor 39 driven by an electric motor 40 forcompressing the refrigerant and forwarding the compressed refrigerant toa condenser '4! where thecompressed refrigerant is liquefied andcollected in a receiver 42. The condenser 4| and the compressor 39 arecooled by a blast of air provided by the fan 43 driven by the electricfan motor 44 and which creates a pressure within the enclosure 38. Bydischarging or blowing air over the warm condenser, compressor andelectric motor, these units of the refrigerating system are cooled and asource of heated air is provided. Thisheating may be augmented byproviding an electric heater 45.

The refrigerant liquefied bythe refrigerant condensing apparatus locatedwithin the chamher or compartment 38 is conducted through a refrigerantsupply conduit 46 into the comparta,oas,ss4 3 sure within the enclosure48 to provide a source of cooled air.

Any suitable form of control means may be employed for maintaining theair supplied to the 5 air blanket at a proper temperature but as apreferred form I provide an air selecting or mix- I ing device tilcomprising a pivoted duct arm OI communicating with the discharge duct62 connecting through the flexible tubing II to the air space II in theair blanket and capable of selective communication with the enclosuresII and 40 within the air conditioned cabinet to provide either heated orcooled air or any-required mixture thereof in order to provide theproper supply of air at a proper temperature and humid' ity to the airspace fl within the air blanket 2|. This pivoted duct portion 0| may beautomatically moved to its proper selective position by a thermostaticcontrol means which includes a thermostatic'bulb ll charged with avolatile or expansive fluid and located in the air stream of the outletor discharge duct 02. This thermostatic bulb is connected by tubing 64to a bellows it which operates a lever 68 connected by a link 61 to thepivoted selective duct portion OI.

This temperature control mechanism is provided with a selective manualadjustment ll comprising spring means and a threaded adjusting means forvarying the tension upon the spring means which opposes the expansion ofthe bellows in varying degrees according to the adjustment thereof so asto make it possible to secure almost any desired temperature of air inthe outlet duct 02. However, for ordinary purposes I flnd that atemperature of between 75 F. and 85 F. is most suitable. Where the airtem perature of the room is either greatly warmer or greatly colder thannormal. an additional temperature control may be provided including athermostatic bulb 10 charged with a volatile or thermal expansive fluidand located within the free air within the room. This thermostatic bulbII is connected by tubing I2 to a small metal bellows II connected by amultiplying lever I4 and a link It to the pivoted duct portion OI so asto compensate for the effect of the air temperature of the room upon theheat transfer conditions between the air conditioned space beneath theblanket and the air in the room. This 5 temperature control may also beprovided with an adjustable regulating spring I. and a threadedadjusting means 11 to regulate the amount of room temperaturecompensation provided in the selective thermostatic control.

The pivoted duct portion under the control of the temperature regulatingapparatus is moved so that its mouth or inlet portion ll selectivelycommunicates with the outlet ports I. and 18 of the air coolingenclosure 48 and the air heat- 5 ing enclosure 3!. when the mouth ll ofthe pivoted duct portion I is in direct communication with the port IIthe maximum cooling is obtained. In intermediate positions the mouth llof the pivoted duct means 6| may communicate partly with the port II andpartly with the port I. so as to supply a mixture of cooled and heatedair to the space 25 of the air blanket. In order to supply warm air, themouth 8| may move to a position in direct communication with the port I!whereby heated air is supplied to the air space 25. If more heating isrequired, the electric heater 4! is supplied with electric energy by theclosing of the switch contacts ll and I, of which the contact U3 isconnected to '5 the link I so that when the pivoted duct means is movedto the extreme heating position, this contact It makes engagement withits cooperating contact 84 to close the electric heater circuit 48. Inthis way sufficiently heated air may be provided even when the roomtemperature is rather cold. A permanent magnet 35 is pro- 5 vided toprevent arcing of the contacts in opening and closing.

The humidity of the cooled air may be controlled by the temperature ofthe evaporating means 50. The temperature of the evaporating 10 meansIll may be controlled by a manual adjusting means It provided upon theexpansion valve 40 so as to control the evaporating temperature withinthe evaporator 50 and by this means it is possible to bring thetemperature of the air to be cooled below its dew point so as tocondense moisture therefrom. This moisture may be collected in a drippan 8'! located beneath the evaporator Ill.

Likewise, means may be provided for humidifying the warm air whendesired by providing a pan l8 containing water which rests upon anelectric heater coil 89 connected in parallel electric circuit relationwith the electric heater 46. This electric heater 89 evaporates thewater at a desired rate in order to supply additional humidity to theair when hot air is required for the air blanket. By employing thishumidifying apparatus and by suitably regulating the temperatureregulating apparatus to obtain the maximum heating of the air, thisapparatus may be employed to produce a mild fever in the person in thebed. In order to use the apparatus for producing a fever the adjustingscrews 11 and 68 u are adjusted so as to increase the tension upon theloading springs for the bellows 6i and I3 preferably as far as possibleso as to raise the temperature of the air delivered to the bed to 130 or140 F. The knife switch which controls the energization of the heater 89is closed and the receptacle 88 is provided with an ample supply of hotwater. Under such an adjustment the pivoted duct portion I will move tocover the opening 19 and the contacts 83 and ll will be closed so thatthe heater I! as well as the heater .9 will be in operation and byheating the water in the receptacle 88 and by heating the air by thecompressing apparatus and the electric heater the temperature of the airand the hu- 50 midity will be raised to a point which will cause afever. The production of a fever may be aided by having a roomtemperature in which the apparatus is located as high as possible. Theuse of artificially created fever has been found very useful in treatingcertain diseases, and with this apparatus, may conveniently be used asan effective treatment forcommon colds. Medicinal compounds may also beplaced within the pan to form beneficial vapors. For convenience andclearness, the fans ,43 and 52 have been shown as of the propeller type,but because of the higher efliciency I prefer to use the centrifugaltype of fan in each case in order to efliciently provide the necessaryair pressure for supplying the conditioned air under pressure to the airspace 28 of the air blanket II. The entire apparatus may be controlledby a manual switch 80.

If desired, other means for heating and cooling may be employed such aselectric heaters, steam, 70 hot water, or hot air from a heating systemfor providing heated air while ice, solidifled carbon dioxide, coldwater, or cold air may be employed for providing cold air for my airblanket.

Inl'igs.4and5amodifledformofairblanket is shown. In this form a fullsize sheet of muslin or percale sheeting is employed upon the bottom,this being designated by the reference character I00. Sewed to this fullsize sheet is a second or intermediate smaller sized sheet portion IOIof a similar material which is sewed to the full size sheet I around theedges thereof and as shown at I02 and is also sewed longitudinally withthe stitching in parallel but which stitching terminates short of thehead and foot ends of the sheet portion so as to provide crossmanifolds, such as the manifold I03, at the foot and head ends of theair blanket. A third or top sheet portion I04 is likewise sewed to theintermediate sheet portion IN and the full size sheet I00 by being sewedto the other sheet portions around its edges as shown at I02 in order toprovide the second air space or enclosure. The top sheet portion I04 andthe intermediate sheet portion IOI are connected together to preventbulging, and to present a fluted appearance, by cords or fish nettingI05 extending in a zigzag fashion between the sheet portions and whichis sewed or fastened to the intermediate sheet portion at the mid pointsbetween the sewed connections I06 by the knotting or stitching I01 andis fastened to the top sheet portion by knotting or stitching I08 whichis located at the intermediate points of the cord or netting I05 betweenthe stitchings I01. This form provides an air blanket of an attractivefluted appearance which may be easily made.

In Fig. 7, I have shown an air blanket type of air conditioning systemwhich provides for the recirculation of the cooling air. In this airblanket there is shown a lower full sized sheet I20 to which arefastened, by sewing around the edges thereof, sheet .portions I 2| andI22 of substantially equal size. These sheets and sheet portions may bemade of any suitable material such as a muslin or percale sheeting.These sheet porupper "sheet portions I2I and I22 are shorter than thosefound in the form shown in Fig. 6.

' This air blanket has been made in this wayso as to prevent the coolingof the feet. It has been found that some persons feel uncomfortable iftheir feet are cooled as much as the remainder of their body and forthis reason the air blanket shown in Fig. 7 is not provided with the airspaces extending over the feet.

The air blanket I20 shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 7 is bettershown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In this form of air blanket, as statedbefore, the sheet portions I2I and I22 are sewed to the full size sheetI20 by sewing around the edge portions of the sheet portions I2I andI22. In addition these sheet portions I2I and I22 are sewed to the fullsize sheet portion I20 along the dotted line I23 shown in Fig. 8 and inFig. to form a U-shaped return duct I24 in the blanket. The supply ductportions designated by the reference character I25 are formed in theintermediate portions of the air blanket. The air blanket is providedwith a distributing airjduct I21 located at the lower or foot end of thesheet portions, which ductdistributes the incoming air through, thefluted supply duct portions I25 through which portion of the air blanketas well as, along both side portions. The sheet portions I22 and I M areconnected together and to the full size sheetv I20 by mesh or webbingI28 to form the fluted air blanket structure similar to the firstdescribed modiflcation..,,

Referring now again to Fig. '7, there is shown an air conditioningcabinet or enclosure I30 provided with a dividing wall I3I dividing theenclosure into an air heating compartment I32 containing the refrigerantliquefying apparatus I33 and an air cooling enclosure or compartment I34containing the refrigerant evaporator I35 which is connected through thewall or partition I3I to the refrigerant liquefying apparatus I33. Anelectrically driven fan I36 is provided for drawing in air from the roomthrough the screen opening I31 and discharging the air over the warmsurfaces of the refrigerant liquefying apparatus to heat the air. Thisheated air may be discharged into the air in the room or into theselective pivoted duct control means I38 through the port I39. Anelectrically driven fan I connected in electrical parallel circuitrelation with the motor driven fan I36 and the electrically driven re'-frigerant liquefying apparatus is provided within the air coolingcompartment I34 for drawing air from the room through the screenedaperture I42 as well as from the return air duct I43 which 1 connects ata plurality of points with the return air duct I24 in the air blanketI20. This air is discharged over the surfaces of the evaporator out intothe room when heated air and not cooled air is required for supplyingthe proper temperature of air to the air blanket.

The amount of re-circulation may be controlled by the sliding door I46which is provided for partially or wholly closing the screened open- 7ing I42 which permits the entrance of air from the room into the coolingcompartment I34. The

pivoted selective air duct portion I has a mouth I48 which is adapted toregister with either of the outlet ports I39 or I44, wholly orpartially,as required, in order tosupply air at the proper temperatureto the air blanket. This pivoted duct portion I38 is controlled by acharged thermostat bulb I50 located within the air conditioned enclosurebeneath the air blanket within the bed and connected by the tubing I5Ito the metal bellows I52 which through a multiplying lever I53 and alink I54 selectively controls the position of the pivoted duct portionI38 and the connection of its mouth with the outlet port's I39 and I44.Manual adjusting means I55 comprising a spring and adjusting screwacting upon the spring means to control the expansion of the metalbellows I52 is provided for regulating the temperature of the airsupplied through the air blanket in order to provide an air conditionedenvironment according to the desires of the person sleeping beneath theblanket. As in the other embodiments the sheets and sheet portions arepreferably made porous so that a considerable amount of air diiiusesinto the space beneath the air blanket and so provides an airconditioned environment for the person sleeping therein while a lesserportion diffuses into the air spaces provided between the intermediatesheet portion blankets I82 and I80 which may be similar to thoseillustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 or similar to that shown in Fig. 12. Theseair blankets I82 and I80 are supplied with properly conditioned air froman air conditioning unit I84 of ample size which discharges theconditioned air under pressure into an outlet duct I88 which conductsthe air through a common air manifold I68 and I 01 to the air blanketsI82 and I68.

In Fig. 12 there is shown a longitudinal section of a bed and airblanket therefor comprising a full size bottom sheet I10 to which issewed or otherwise suitably fastened an intermediate sheet portion I'llwhich extends from the head portion of the full size sheet I10 to apoint designated by the reference character I12 which is about above theknees of the person sleeping in the bed beneath the blanket. This sheetportion "I is preferably fastened to the full size sheet I10 by beingsewed thereto around its edge portions and being connected by knotting.quilting or similar means at intermediate points to prevent theexcessive inflation of this intermediate sheet portion "I. The top sheetportion I18, on the contrary, extends from the head portion of the fullsize sheet I10 to the extreme foot portion thereof so as to provide anair insulating space over the entire body of the person sleeping underthe blanket.

Thus in this form the air is supplied from a suitable conditioning meanslike that shown in Fig.

6 by the supply duct I18 to the air space I between the intermediatesheet portion Ill and the full size sheet I10. From this air space I15the air under pressure diffuses through the sheet" I10 into directcontact with the body of the person sleeping thereunder in order toprovide an air conditioned environment for the body while some of theair diffuses into the air insulating enclosure I16 which forms aninsulating air space over the top of the air enclosure I15 as well asthe feet of the person sleeping under the air blanket. This form is verycomfortable for both winter and summer use.

In Fig. 13 there are shown two workmen provided with clothing into which'cool air may be supplied from an air conditioning means I80 through acommon supply duct III and individual supply ducts I82 and Ill under thecontrol of the regulating valves I88 and I88. This clothing in the formof Jumpers or air suits I88 and I81 may be made of three sheets orthicknesses of material sewed together so as to provide two air spacesin a manner similar to that of the previously described air blankets-The air is introduced into the air space closest to the body and thisair difl'uses therefrom in both directions, some into contact with thebody and some into second air space which forms the air insulatingspace.

However, if desired, these suits may be made similar to the sleeping bagshown in Fig. 15 and the air discharged into the interior of theenclosure provided by the air suits and the air permitted to escapetherefrom through one or more layers of the material used. Instead ofthe air conditioning device shown in Fig. 13 these suits may be suppliedwith compressed air from a compressed air line which is ordinarilyrather cool and low in relative humidity. I find these suits aresuitable for working in hot places such as around furnaces in industrialplants as well as for persons subjected to a cold environment such asthose working in icehouses or out in the open. For extremely hotsituations, the suits should be made of asbestos or similar flreproofcloth; otherwise, ordinary cloth or fabric goods may be used.

These suits may also be used by aviators for high altitude flights andan apparatus like that shown in Fig. 14 may be used for this purpose. InFig. 14 there is shown an exhaust pipe I80 of the internal combustionengine used for propelling the airplane and surrounding this pipe inheat exchange relation therewith is provided a water or liquid chamberI9I containing water or other fluid I92 which may be evaporated by theheat supplied by the hot exhaust gases. The evaporated liquid rises intothe heat exchange device I formed of flns in serpentine tubing throughwhich air is drawn by the electrically driven fan I94 in order to warmthe air and this warm air is discharged through the air duct I88 to theair suits. While the air suits I88 and I81 are shown in the form ofJumpers they may take any convenient form such as the form of anovercoat or other types of clothing.

In Fig. 15 there is shown a bed 200 provided with a sleeping bag Icapable of receiving a human being and provided with an additional sheetportion 202 providing an insulating air space 203 around the topportions of the' sleeping bag. The sleeping bag 20I completely surroundsthe person therein except for the head thereof and is supplied withconditioned air through the air duct 208 which discharges directly intothe interior of the bag "I at some suitable point in a manner similar tothat described for the air clothing in connection with Fig. 13.

In Fig. 16 there is disclosed a simplified form ofcontrol apparatusapplicable to either of the forms of air conditioning apparatusillustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 6 and '7. In this simplifled form,the enclosure containing the evaporating means and the cooled air underpressureis designated by the reference character 88b and is providedwith an outlet 18b forming part of a butterfly. type of double two-waycontrol valve. 'I'he enclosure 88b contains the refrigerant liquefyingmeans and wann air under pressure and is provided with an outlet 18bdirectly opposite the outlet 18b. An outlet 8Ib leading to the room isprovided for discharging waste air while the discharge duct 62bconnecting with the air blanket connects to the outlet 82b which isdirectly opposite the outlet 8"). A butterfly valve 83b controls theflow of air from the enclosures 48b and 38b into the discharge duct 82band the room outlet according to the temperature requirements.

For this purpose, the butterfly valve 88b is provided with an actuatinglever arm connected by a link 88b to a multiplying lever 88b operated bya metal bellows 65b under the control of a manually adjustable springand screw control mechanism. This bellows 88b is connected by tubing toa thermostatic bulb 886 located within the discharge duct 82b andcharged with a volatile or thermal expansive fluid.

According to the temperature requirements as measured by thethermostatic bulb 881:, the butterily valve 93b is moved to assumevarious positions. The butterfly valve may be moved to one extremeposition to provide a free flow of air from the cooled air or evaporatorenclosure 88b to the discharge duct 82b and from the warm air enclosure88b directly to the outlet 8") leading directly to the room. When thebutterfly valve is moved substantially 90 from this position a free flowof air is provided from the cooled air enclosure to the outlet 9Ibleading to the room and from the warm air enclosure 38b to the dischargeduct 621). Under control of the thermostat bulb 63?) the butterfly valve93b may be moved to any position from one of these extremes to the otherin order that air of the proper temperature may be suppliedautomatically.

Thus, I have provided a personal type of air conditioning equipmentwhich may be used by persons desiring air conditioning equipment withlittle or no change of personal habits and which is capable ofwidespread application and is low in both initial cost and operatingexpense.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A ventilating means including an inflatable covering for the humanbody, said covering comprising at least three sheet portions of aflexible material held together to form a plurality of enclosures andmeans for continuously conducting air under pressure into one of theenclosures between two of the sheet portions to keep the coveringinflated and in contact with the body, one of the sheet portions beingporous to permit the continuous diffused escape of air therefrom intocontact with the body.

2. A ventilating means including an inflatable covering for the humanbody, said covering comprising at least three sheet portions of aflexible material held together to form a plurality of enclosures andmeans for continuously conducting air under pressure into one of theenclosures between two of the sheet portions, said two sheet portionsbeing porous to permit the diffused escape of air therefrom into contactwith the body and into another of the enclosures.

3. A conditioning means including air tempering means, an inflatablecovering for a human body, said covering comprising a porous flexiblesheet means, said air tempering means including means forcing the airthrough the flexible sheet means into direct contact with the body, saidair tempering means including temperature responsive means for selectingand providing air of the proper temperature for said flexible sheetmeans.

4. A conditioning means including air tempering means, an inflatablecovering for a human body, said covering comprising a porous fabricsheet means, said air tempering means including means for forcing theair through the fabric sheet means into direct contact with the body,

said air tempering means including means for conducting tempered air tothe flexible sheet means, and means responsive to the air supplied tothe flexible sheet means for controlling the air tempering means.

5. A conditioning means for the human body including body clothinghaving a plurality of layers of fabric forming a plurality ofsuperimposed air spaces therebetween, and means for supplying air underpressure into one of the air spaces between the layers of fabric, saidfabric permitting the diffused discharge of air therefrom into contactwith the body.

6. A conditiomng means including an inflatable covering for the humanbody, said covering comprising a plurality of sheet portions of aflexible material held together to form an enclosure, another sheetportion of a flexible material being joined to one" of the abovementioned sheet portions to form a larger enclosure covering a largerarea, and means for introducing air into the first mentioned enclosure.

7. An inflatable article for providing a zone of ventilated air in thevicinity of a body, said article sures, and means for continuouslyconducting air under pressure to one of said enclosures, to inflate theenclosures and to provide a diffused discharge of air upon the body.

8. An inflatable article for providing a zone of ventilated air in thevicinity of a body, said article including at least three sheet portionsof flexible material positioned one on top of the other and heldtogether to form two enclosures between the sheets located one above theother, said sheet portions having means providing communication betweensaid enclosures, one of said sheet portions nearest the body beingporous to permit the diffused escape of a fluid from one of theenclosures, means for connecting dispersed portions of said sheetportions to limit the distance between the sheets, and means forcontinuously conducting air under pressure to one of said enclosures, toinflate the enclosures and to provide a diffused discharge of air uponthe body.

9. An inflatable article for providing a zone of ventilated air in thevicinity of a body, said article including at least three sheet portionsof flexible material positioned one on top of the other and heldtogether to form two enclosures between the sheets located one above theother, said sheet portions having means providing communication betweensaid enclosures, said sheet portions being quilted to limit the distancebetween the sheets and to provide a neat tufted appearance, and meansfor conducting air to one of said enclosures.

10. An inflatable article for providing a zone of ventilated air in thevicinity of a body, said article comprising a plurality of sheetportions positioned upon one another and held together to form anenclosure between the sheet portions,

means for conditioning air and conducting the conditioned air underpressure to said enclosure between the sheet portions, one of said sheetportions nearest the body being porous to provide for the discharge ofair from the enclosure into contact with the body, and means responsiveto the temperature of the air within said conducting means forcontrolling said conditioning means.

11. An inflatable article for providing a zone of ventilated air in thevicinity of a body, said article comprising a plurality of sheetportions positioned upon one another and held together to form anenclosure between the sheet portions, one of said sheet portions nearestthe body being of porous fabric to provide for the discharge of air fromthe enclosure into contact with the body, means for heating and coolingair, mixing means for providing any desired proportion of the heated andcooled air, temperature responsive means for selecting the properproportion of heated and cooled air, and means for conducting the airselected by the temperature responsive means to said enclosure betweenthe sheet portions.

ltICI-IARD S. GAUGLER.

